As a visitor to the world of Islam, it can be overwhelming to navigate the different schools of thought that exist within the religion. With a history spanning over a millennium, the diverse beliefs and practices of the various Islamic schools of thought offer a rich tapestry of perspectives on the faith. In this blog post, we’ll explore three main Islamic schools of thought- the Sunni, Shia, and Kharijite- to gain a deeper understanding of their differences and similarities. Whether you’re new to Islam or seeking to broaden your knowledge, this primer will serve as a helpful guide to the different Islamic schools of thought.
Introduction to Islamic Schools of Thought
Introduction to Islamic Schools of Thought
The Islamic religion is one of the major religions of the world. It is deeply rooted in tradition, with a rich history that has resulted in the development of complex and varied schools of thought. These schools of thought are diverse in their interpretation of religious texts and traditions and are mainly divided into three main groups: Sunni, Shia, and Kharijite.
The Sunni School of Thought
The Sunni School of thought is the largest of the three. It is founded on the principles of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunnis believe in following the traditions of the Prophet and placing great emphasis on the hadith.
The Shia School of Thought
The Shia School of thought is the second largest in the Islamic world. Shia Muslims believe in the infallibility of their leaders and that the leader of the Islamic community should be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Shia Muslims hold a strong belief in the spiritual and political leadership of their imams.
| Sunni | Shia |
|---|---|
| Sunnis believe in the traditions of the Prophet and the hadith. | Shia Muslims believe in the infallibility of their leaders and that the leader of the Islamic community should be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. |
| Sunnis make up the majority of the Muslim population. | Shia Muslims are the second largest Muslim group. |
The Kharijite School of Thought
The Kharijite School of Thought is the smallest of the three. The Kharijites hold the belief that any Muslim is eligible to become the leader of the Islamic community if they possess the necessary qualities and characteristics. The Kharijites are known for their strict adherence to Islamic law and their intolerance towards other schools of thought.
The Sunni School of Thought
The Sunni School of Thought is one of the major Islamic schools of thought. The term Sunni comes from the Arabic word “Sunna” which means tradition. The Sunni Muslims believe in the traditions and practices of the Prophet Muhammad. They believe that the Prophet Muhammad is the last and final messenger of God and that the Quran is the final and complete revelation of God to humanity.
The Sunni School of Thought is the largest school of thought in Islam, with a majority of Muslims belonging to this school. Sunni Muslims believe in the importance of community consensus and the practice of consensus among the early Islamic community or “Ummah”. Sunni Muslims emphasize that interpreting the Quran must be done using the methodology of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions also known as the “Sahaba”.
| Sunni Muslims Beliefs | |
|---|---|
| Belief in the Oneness of God (Tawhid) | Belief in Angels |
| Belief in Divine Books including the Quran | Belief in Prophets including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the final one |
| Belief in the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah) | Belief in Predestination (Qadar) |
There are several branches within the Sunni School of Thought, including the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali. These branches differ in interpretation on certain Islamic issues, however, they all share a common fundamental belief system and practice the Sunnah in their daily lives.
In conclusion, the Sunni School of Thought is a deeply rooted, diverse, and important part of Islam. Its adherents embody the rich tradition and practices of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. Sunni Muslims around the world follow this school of thought with dedication towards their faith.
The Shia School of Thought
The Shia school of thought is one of the two major branches of Islam, the other being the Sunni school. The followers of Shia Islam are called Shia Muslims. The word Shia means “followers” and denotes the followers of Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, who was the first Shia Imam.
Shia Muslims believe that the Imams are the rightful leaders of the Muslim community and that they have been appointed by Allah. According to Shia theology, the leadership of the Islamic community, or Imamate, is a divinely ordained institution and can only be passed down to the male descendants of Ali. The Shia Imams are considered to be infallible and are seen as a source of guidance and inspiration for Muslims.
The Shia school of thought has a number of distinctive beliefs and practices. One of the most significant is the doctrine of the Imamate, which holds that the Imams are spiritual and political leaders. Shia Muslims also believe in the concept of taqiyya, which is the practice of concealing their beliefs in order to avoid persecution. The Shia also hold special mourning ceremonies during the month of Muharram to remember the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
| Key Beliefs of Shia Islam | Key Practices of Shia Islam |
|---|---|
|
|
The Shia school of thought has a rich history and has made significant contributions to Islamic scholarship, theology, and jurisprudence. Some of the most prominent Shia scholars include Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, who is considered one of the most important figures in Islamic history, and Ayatollah Khomeini, who played a major role in the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
In conclusion, the Shia school of thought is a major branch of Islam that has a unique set of beliefs and practices. It is important for Muslims to understand and respect the diversity of Islamic traditions and to recognize the contributions that each tradition has made to the wider Muslim community.
The Kharijite School of Thought
The Kharijite School of Thought is an Islamic sect that originated during the first century of Islam. The Kharijites believed that a Muslim who commits a major sin is considered an infidel and is no longer a Muslim. This belief led to their continued opposition to the ruling caliphs of the time, as they believed that they were guilty of major sins and were therefore infidels. This led to the Kharijites fighting against both the ruling caliphs and other Islamic sects, particularly the Shia and Sunni schools of thought.
The Kharijites were known for their strict interpretation of Islamic law and their rejection of traditional sources of Islamic interpretation, such as consensus and analogy. Instead, they relied solely on the Qur’an as their source of guidance and interpretation. They believed that each individual had the right to interpret the Qur’an for themselves, which led to a wide range of interpretations within the Kharijite community.
- One of the defining characteristics of the Kharijites was their belief in the principle of takfir, which is the act of declaring someone a non-believer. They believed that anyone who committed a major sin was no longer a Muslim and was therefore deserving of death.
- Another important aspect of Kharijite ideology was their belief in the establishment of an Islamic state based on their interpretation of the Qur’an. They believed that the leader of the state had to be a pious and just Muslim who ruled according to Islamic law.
- The Kharijites also believed in the doctrine of al-wala’ wal-bara’, which is the belief in loyalty to fellow Kharijites and disavowal of all others. This doctrine promoted the isolation of the Kharijite community from the rest of the Islamic world and led to their eventual decline.
| Characteristics | Beliefs |
|---|---|
| Takfir | Anyone who committed a major sin was no longer a Muslim and deserving of death. |
| Islamic State | The leader of the state had to be a pious and just Muslim who ruled according to Islamic law. |
| Al-wala’ wal-bara’ | The belief in loyalty to fellow Kharijites and disavowal of all others. |
Today, there are very few followers of the Kharijite School of Thought, and they are considered a deviant sect by the majority of the Muslim world. However, their influence can still be seen in the modern world, particularly in the ideology of some extremist groups who share their belief in takfir and the establishment of an Islamic state based on their own interpretation of Islamic law.